The GIT Girl Magazine Volume I: July/August 2014 | Page 19

FOOD FOR THOUGHT by: Marianne Bloudoff, RD Every GIT Girl should know her way around a kitchen—at least a little, right? These dishes are sure to inspire you to dust off your pots and pans and use your oven for more than just storing sweaters. Follow Marianne’s step-by-step instructions and enjoy Getting It Together in the kitchen! Mandarin Almond Chicken Serves 4 Sweet, sour, crunchy, and delicious! This family friendly stir fry uses ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen to create a bright, fresh, and healthy dinner in a snap. Pair it with brown rice or quinoa for a satisfying meal.  3/4 cup blanched whole almonds  1 tbsp avocado oil (or other oil with high smoke point)  1 medium onion, thinly sliced  2 cloves garlic, minced  3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed  3 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced  4 celery stalks, thinly sliced  1 can mandarin oranges packed in juice, drained and juice reserved  2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce or tamari  2 tbsp white vinegar  2 tbsp corn starch  2 tsp chicken or vegetable bouillon  1 – 2 tsp sugar  1 tsp sesame oil sesame seeds, for garnish 1. Heat a wok or large skillet over medium heat. Add the almonds, and toast until golden brown. Remove from pan. Turn heat up to medium high. 2. Add oil to wok, and then add onion and garlic. Stir fry for 1 – 2 minute, then add chicken. Stir fry for 2-3 minutes. 3. Add carrots and celery to wok, and stir fry for 2-3 minutes, until chicken is cooked and vegetables are cooked but crisp. Add the almonds back to the pan. Turn heat down to medium low. 4. In a small bowl, whisk together reserved mandarin orange juice, soy sauce, vinegar, corn starch, bouillon, sugar, and sesame oil. Add to wok, and cook until thickened. 5. To serve, top with mandarin orange slices, and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Note: Don’t add the mandarin oranges until serving, otherwise they tend to fall apart in the stir fry. For more recipes, visit Marianne at frenchfriestoflaxseeds.com Makes approx. 2 cups Add a pop of color to your next veggie platter or sandwich with this stunning magenta colored hummus. The dill and beet flavors give this hummus an Eastern European twist. You might not want to go back to regular hummus after this.  1 can (19 oz or 540 mL) chickpeas, rinsed  2/3 cup cooked beets  1 large clove garlic, chopped  3 tbsp olive oil  2 tbsp tahini  juice of 1 lemon  1/3 – 1/2 cup fresh dill  sea salt & pepper to taste 1/4 – 1/3 cup water 1. Combine all ingredients except water in a food processor, and blend until combined. Add water until desired consistency is reached. Allow to sit for several hours before serving to let flavours meld. Notes: Although I cooked my beets from scratch, you could easily use canned beets (which would be much less messy). 18